Rotary Friendship Exchange

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• Rotary Friendship Exchange

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Rotary Friendship Exchange

• Rotary Friendship Exchange is one of Rotary
  Internationals nine structured programs designed
  to help clubs and districts achieve their service
  goals in their own communities and in communities
  abroad, fostering fellowship and goodwill in the
  process.

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What is Friendship Exchange?

• Friendship Exchange is an international exchange
  program for Rotarians and their families that
  provides participants with the opportunity to
  experience other cultures by staying in the homes
  of Rotarians in other countries.

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Friendship Exchange Goals

• Advance international understanding and peace
  through personal contact across borders.
• Develop interclub relationships for fellowship
  and service projects.
• Offer Rotarians the opportunity to make
  long-lasting friendships while exploring
  different areas of the world.

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Building Friendship Exchange

• Interested Rotarians must apply through their
  club president, who will inform them if their
  district participates in the program.
• District chairs work with their counterparts
  around the world to organize all aspects of
  exchanges.
• RI produces a list of district Friendship
  Exchange chairs bimonthly to help with
  communication.

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Types of Exchanges

• Visitor Program
• Individual Rotarians, who may be accompanied by
  family members, spend a few days in the home of a
  Rotarian in another country.
• Team Program
• Rotarian couples, typically four to six, visit
  several communities in a host district for up to
  one month.
• Uni-vocational
• Host and guest Rotarians of the same occupation
  observe how their job is done in other countries.

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Friendship Exchange Guidelines

• A Rotarian must always accompany his or her
  spouse or children on an exchange.
• An exchange may take place at any time of the
  year and for any duration as long as the both the
  guest and host districts have agreed upon the
  details.
• It is recommended that a reciprocal exchange is
  arranged the same year or in a successive year.

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Itineraries

• Exchanges incorporate a wide array of social
  events, local activities, and leisure time. Each
  itinerary is different but will most likely
  include attending a Rotary meeting or gathering
  in the host district.

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Other Activities

• Touring scenic areas, historical sites, museums,
  and galleries
• Viewing and participating in sporting events,
  concerts, and nightlife activities

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District Chair Responsibilities

• Promote the program within the district.
• Help plan itineraries for participants.
• Maintain records on exchange participants and
  potential hosts for future exchanges.
• Communicate with the district governor and the
  clubs in the district when developing Friendship
  Exchanges.

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Participate

• Meet Rotarians from other countries and learn
  about their culture firsthand.
• Arrange international service projects directly
  with Rotarians in another country.

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Resources

• The following resources are available on the RI
  Web site
• Rotary Friendship Exchange section
• Rotary Friendship Exchange Handbook
• Rotary Friendship Exchange staff e-mail
• Rotary E-Learning Center